Saturday, May 23, 2026 • Eddie Bush Memorial Arena, Collingwood
Collingwood’s favourite country party is back — bigger than ever!
The Summer Country Kickoff returns for its third year, turning downtown Collingwood into a full-blown country celebration at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena.
Headlining the night is Grammy-nominated, multi-award-winning artist James Otto, bringing his powerhouse voice, chart-topping hits, and undeniable swagger to the stage.
Joining him are Elyse Saunders and Graham Trude with a full-band performance, plus a soulful opening acoustic set from Tara Shannon.
Get ready for an evening of small-town charm and big-stage energy
Event Details
📅 When: Saturday, May 23, 2026
📍 Where: Eddie Bush Memorial Arena (Downtown Collingwood)
🎤 Headliner: James Otto
🎟️ Pre-Sale: $25 (Limited availability)
💵 Regular Admission (March 2026): $40
$40 At The DOOR!
⭐ VIP: $100 — includes premium floor seating near the stage and one complimentary beverage
(Limited Seating Available)
🕕 Doors Open: 6:00 PM
🎶 Showtime: 7:00 PM
Secure your tickets early — this event sells out fast!
Let’s kick off summer the Collingwood way — with great music, great people, and a night you’ll never forget. 🤠🌅
2 Stage Sponsors are available for purchase
6 event sponsor tables are available for purchase
Please contact: info@countrycorerecords.com for further information
James Otto has been called The Biggest Voice in Country Music & that might just be true. Standing a broad-shouldered 6 foot 5 inches tall, Otto has a powerhouse voice to match.
His textured, sometimes raspy vocals are delivered with passion and plenty of soul.Otto blends that soulful voice with great storytelling and a smooth, funky grooveto create his signature Country Soul sound.
Otto rose to prominence when he signed with Warner Bros. and released the album Sunset Man. His breakthrough hit, "Just Got Started Lovin' You," went to the top of the charts as a 2-week #1 song and became the "most played country song of the year." Otto also received a Grammy Nomination for "Best Male Country Vocal Performance" of the song. The hit's popularity has endured, as it’s on the list of Billboard's 100 Greatest Country Songs, confirming it as one of the most played songs in the history of country radio.
A founding member of MuzikMafia, Otto has also earned a reputation as one of Nashville’s most compelling songwriters. He co-wrote Jamey Johnson’s career-defining hit, “In Color," and for that song, Otto again received a Grammy nod, but this time as a songwriter for "Best Country Song." “In Color” brought further recognition, as he took home awards for both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Academy’s “Song of the Year.” Later, Otto co-penned "Somethin' 'Bout a Boat" for Jimmy Buffett, which uniquely made its way to Broadway as part of the musical Escape to Margaritaville. He also co-wrote “No Hurry” which soared to the top of the charts for the Zac Brown Band. Additionally, Otto has collaborated on songs for artists: Randy Houser, Chris Janson, Darius Rucker, Trace Adkins, Josh Kiser, John Rich, John Anderson, Randy Owen, the supergroup Alabama and many more.
His highly anticipated new album Self Made Fool is slated for release this year.
Country artist Elyse Saunders, the 2024 CMAOntario Female Artist of the Year, is a multi-award-winning performer with over 5 million global streams. Known for her captivating vocals and authentic songwriting, Elyse is making waves across Canada, the U.S., and Australia. Her breakout single, “Never Have I Ever,” reached #27 on Canada’s Country Billboard Charts and climbed to #6 on Australia’s CountryTown National Airplay Charts. Its follow-up, “Dirt,” continued the momentum—reaching #16 on Australian radio, securing a Top 10 spot on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country, and landing alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Carly Pearce on LiveOne’s Weekly Country Countdown.
Her music videos receive consistent rotation on CMT Australia’s Across the Board and have been spotlighted on CMT Nashville, reflecting her expanding global presence through interviews, radio airplay, and streaming support.
Dividing her time between Nashville and Canada, Elyse has earned prominent editorial playlist features across Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify—including face-out cover placements—cementing her as a rising voice in the genre. Known for her powerhouse live performances, she has taken the stage at major festivals such as Boots & Hearts and Sunfest, sharing lineups with artists like Thomas Rhett, Terri Clark, Dallas Smith, and Jason Aldean.
With ‘Mending Heart’ available now, a brand new summer single on the way and a stacked festival season that includes support slots for U.S. stars Brett Young, Kameron Marlowe, and Bryan Martin, Elyse is poised to continue her upward trajectory into 2025—solidifying her place as one of country music’s most promising rising talents.